Publications & tools

Book: Local Governments and Climate Change

Sustainable Energy Planning and Implementation in Small and Medium Sized Communities

Climate change is a serious environmental, security and socio-political challenge. Its impact is already visible at community level around the globe. Tackling this challenge requires urgent action, with the engagement of local governments and communities needed.
The focus of Local Governments and Climate Change is on how small and medium-sized communities in Europe are effectively responding to climate change, with a particular focus on different approaches used in sustainable energy planning and implementation. A number of cases presented show the result of different (and often combined) motivations and actions. The most effective responses are those with a holistic, integrated and long-term approach, addressing both climate change mitigation and adaptation, based on citizen and other local stakeholder involvement. Local climate action means addressing different sectors, from buildings to waste, but also involving the industry and business sectors. The focus is on engaging communities on a large scale.